5.9 Vijitasena#

I’ll cage you, mind,
Like an elephant in a stockade.
Born of the flesh, that net of sensual pleasures,
I won’t urge you to do bad.

Caged, you won’t escape,
Like an elephant who can’t find an open gate.
Demon-mind, you won’t wander again and again,
Bullying, and loving to do bad.

Just as a strong trainer with a hook,
Takes a wild, newly captured elephant
And wins it over against its will,
So I’ll win you over.

Just as a fine charioteer,
Skilled in the taming of fine horses,
Tames a thoroughbred,
So, firmly established in the five powers,
I’ll tame you.

I’ll bind you with mindfulness,
I’m committed to taming you;
Restrained by harnessed energy,
Mind, you won’t go far from here.

Notes#